The *NEW* Grand Floridian Resort and Spa FAQ thread (Nov 2007)

[Ctsplaysinrain]

What are the real differences? I am booked right now for main building but when checking for AAA discounts, I was told only the other was available..

 

[pinktink23]

ok. so i got a 40% pin code and when i called to book the GF i was planning on booking a GV room with the code and adding MYW and the DP. Well after talking to the CM I ended up booking the RPC with the 40% code, booking MYW and NOT booking the dining plan...

Did I make the right choice? I figured the DP would have been full price, and since the discount only counted for the room rate and since concierge is included in the RPC room rate concierge is basically 40% off...right?

Also the trip is in August so it is value season. i'm not sure if that info is necessary for an evaluation of this situation but i thought it would help.

thoughts?

 

[Tinkaroo]

What are the real differences? I am booked right now for main building but when checking for AAA discounts, I was told only the other was available..

You will hear a lot of people liken Sugar Loaf (outer lodge concierge) to staying at a bed and breakfast. The concierge lounge is in the lobby of the building, along with the concierge CM's. Everything is contained in one spot. SL has recently been redone, so there is more seating in the lounge area. Views are of the GF courtyard pool or the marina. The 3 lodge tower rooms are by request in SL - these have an extra sitting area with TV and sofa (I think it might pull-out in some instances). There used to be a difference in food offerings, but SL and RPC have been offering the same things (including alcohol/cordials at night) for about 3 years now.

Main building concierge (Royal Palm Club) is more spread out. The rooms are on the 3rd-5th floors (and a few on a 2nd floor wing). The concierge CM's are on the 3rd floor, and the lounge is on the 4th floor. Both of these areas look out on the lobby on the interior (you can also hear the band, piano player, etc.), while there are also views from the grounds and the top of Cinderella Castle on the exterior. There is an internal staircase between the 3rd-5th floors to make access to the CM's and the lounge easier. There is a large flat screen in the lounge (along with different seating areas, couches, etc.), as well as a child's TV and seating area (small chairs and tables, etc.) I'm not sure if SL has this or not. Room views can include any portion of the grounds, the MK, the monorail, Poly, Wedding Chapel, etc. There are some "deluxe" rooms to book here, with more space.

Hope this helps!

ok. so i got a 40% pin code and when i called to book the GF i was planning on booking a GV room with the code and adding MYW and the DP. Well after talking to the CM I ended up booking the RPC with the 40% code, booking MYW and NOT booking the dining plan...

Did I make the right choice? I figured the DP would have been full price, and since the discount only counted for the room rate and since concierge is included in the RPC room rate concierge is basically 40% off...right?

Also the trip is in August so it is value season. i'm not sure if that info is necessary for an evaluation of this situation but i thought it would help.

thoughts?

Was a GV room available with your code? Did you ask for a quote for both - i.e., what was the difference in cost?

For what it's worth, if I were you, I would book RPC and not look back! You'll have the wonderful ambiance, CM's, and itinerary help/food of concierge, vs. a dining plan that I think has really lost it's worth since the recent changes.

I made the comment to DH when we stayed RPC in December that if it were a warmer time of year (when the heat just zaps my appetite), I could likely eat a majority of my meals in the concierge lounge, and be content. If heat affects you similarly, then I think you might get better value for your $$ in concierge. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Ctsplaysinrain]

So, from what this poster just wrote- Is the SL area more relaxing, less busy than the main area? It appears the amenities are the same? correct?

 

[heatherlynn444]

So, from what this poster just wrote- Is the SL area more relaxing, less busy than the main area? It appears the amenities are the same? correct?

the RPC lounge is up above, overlooking the lobb,y the only foot traffic up there is of concierge guests. itis a big area and spread out, adn you get to hear the relaxing music playing at night. SL "food area" is in teh lobby of the sugar loaf building, and you must have key card access to get into this building

 

[BCV23]

I find Sugar Loaf very quiet most of the day. But there are quite a few rooms in the building so sometimes at breakfast and always at the beginning of the appetizer service, it can be very busy.

As HeatherLynn and Tinkaroo said, RPC is more spread out so it doesn't seem as crowded at those times although the actual serving area gets busy. I also think there may be fewer rooms in RPC than SL. Tammi probably knows. Has anyone heard from Tammi?

Oh, and yes the amenities are the same.

 

[DisneyBride'03]

I find Sugar Loaf very quiet most of the day. But there are quite a few rooms in the building so sometimes at breakfast and always at the beginning of the appetizer service, it can be very busy.

As HeatherLynn and Tinkaroo said, RPC is more spread out so it doesn't seem as crowded at those times although the actual serving area gets busy. I also think there may be fewer rooms in RPC than SL. Tammi probably knows. Has anyone heard from Tammi?

Oh, and yes the amenities are the same.

I have not seen a post by Tammi in a long time

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I find Sugar Loaf very quiet most of the day. But there are quite a few rooms in the building so sometimes at breakfast and always at the beginning of the appetizer service, it can be very busy.

As HeatherLynn and Tinkaroo said, RPC is more spread out so it doesn't seem as crowded at those times although the actual serving area gets busy. I also think there may be fewer rooms in RPC than SL. Tammi probably knows. Has anyone heard from Tammi?

Oh, and yes the amenities are the same.

I think you are right about the rooms. I just sent an email to a CM about it.
So we will know.

 

[DisneyBride'03]

did someone say mimosa?!?

Would you like one? Cheers..although it never tastes the same unless you are at the GF! My Dh joked about all the "places" I had one there....the balcony...lobby...etc.!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I wish I was at the GF right now!

 

[pinktink23]

Does the RPC offer enough food that you could make a meal out of the amenitites offered? Is it basically like a buffet where you can take as much or as little as you want? I'm trying to decide if it is worth it to book concierge instead of the DP with a garden view room.

 

[SleepingUgly]

Sorry, it's me again with a question. If Sugar Loaf concierge offers the same amenities as RPC and rooms are all similar, why is there a $1400 difference between the two concierge categories for our 8-night stay in late August? Is it solely because of the location?

Thanks!
Linda

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Does the RPC offer enough food that you could make a meal out of the amenitites offered? Is it basically like a buffet where you can take as much or as little as you want? I'm trying to decide if it is worth it to book concierge instead of the DP with a garden view room.

The 40% off code is such a gift that I would keep the RPC and pay OOP for whatever dining needs you may need. Save GV for another trip and a lesser code....

 

[heatherlynn444]

Sorry, it's me again with a question. If Sugar Loaf concierge offers the same amenities as RPC and rooms are all similar, why is there a $1400 difference between the two concierge categories for our 8-night stay in late August? Is it solely because of the location?

Thanks!
Linda

location location location! being able to step off the monorail and into your room without leaving the building, being able to sit in teh concierge lunge and hear the orchestra and piano play, and we had an MK view in the main building, in sugar loaf that is not possible


YES i want a mimosa please!

whoever asked about the food being enough for a meal, i would say def. not. for breakfast, yes, it is always enough, but def. not for us for lunch and or dinner, its just snack food for us, not a meal. we always get the Dining plan, eat breakfast in teh lounge, and then snacks etc. throught the day, sicne the DP does not offer enough meals for all three meals unless you dod eluxe dining plan

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Sorry, it's me again with a question. If Sugar Loaf concierge offers the same amenities as RPC and rooms are all similar, why is there a $1400 difference between the two concierge categories for our 8-night stay in late August? Is it solely because of the location?

Thanks!
Linda

Linda you are really paying for being in the main building. You are closer to the shops and the monorail and the food. Also you get more lounge space in the main building and can hear the piano and music at night.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Does the RPC offer enough food that you could make a meal out of the amenitites offered? Is it basically like a buffet where you can take as much or as little as you want? I'm trying to decide if it is worth it to book concierge instead of the DP with a garden view room.

I think that with the breakfast you can lunch no way and dinner it depends. One night we were snacking so we skipped dinner but still had a snack later. It depends on how much you eat and stuff like that.

 

[jenfur]

I am in the middle of trying to book a package with AAA for the Grand Floridian. Their website offers a discount on the lagoon rooms that makes them cheaper than the standard rooms @ rack rate, however no standard rooms are listed. The first quote I recieved was for a standard room, but had several mistakes so I could not really see if the standard room was discounted. So my question is...if I can get the standard room with a discount, would it still be worth around $45 a night for the lagoon view? We really don't care all that much as long as the view is not a service area or parking lot. Are there any specific buildings you would request for either views?

 

[Alicnwondrln]

After you make a ressie you can request a building. The garden views all are very nice. I avoid Sago thats really the onlu building I wouldnt want to be in.

 

[vbarry]

Can someone tell me about the Specialty Cruises and the private dining??

I was thinking about doing one of these on Christmas Eve or Christmas night but did not know where you found info on this as far as cost. Do you have to set up the private dining on your own?

 

[Alicnwondrln]

well if you want to use private dining it depends on what you need. What are you looking to do? If you want to book a fireworks cruise for Wishes or Illuminations then the IPO can do that for you and they are very helpful with this as it books up fast especially at the Holidays.
Let me see what I have for info and I will post it.